Thai rail strike strands thousands

Published: 7:29PM Wednesday October 31, 2007 Source: Reuters

• Email this article
• Print this article
• Text size + -
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook

Thousands of rail passengers were stranded in Thailand after trade unions called a nationwide strike to protest against a trade pact they said would allow Japanese firms to bid for rail service contracts.
   
About 2,000 passengers on nine south-bound trains were transferred to buses after their carriages stopped 800 km south of the Thai capital, officials said.
   
"The strike forced State Rail of Thailand to cancel our daily southern schedule of 18 trains to and from Bangkok, which will affect two to three thousand passengers a day," Tanongsak Pongprasert, director of southern train services, said.
   
Another 12 trains carrying 1,000 passengers per day in the south were also cancelled, he said.
   
The strike also halted seven trains in the north, northern service director Surin Piaprasert said. Supichet Suwanchatree, head of State Rail of Thailand's southern branch, told reporters the strike was to urge the government to stop the liberalisation of the logistics industry, which would have an impact on the debt-ridden rail monopoly.
   
But a Commerce Ministry official told Reuters the rail union had misunderstood the Japanese-Thai Economic Partnership Agreement due to come into effect on Thursday.
   
"There's no direct link between JTEPA and privatisation of state enterprises. Someone may try to turn this into a political issue," said the official, who declined to be identified.

• Email this article
• Print this article
• Text size + -
• more...
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook

World News Video

• Tibetans protest Chinese oppression (1:44) 
• Britain rules out military involvement in Syria (2:04) 
• FBI release secret Steve Jobs files (1:35) 

Royal Wedding News

• Queen celebrates 60 years on throne watch
• Royal visit confirmed for November
• Prince Harry parties with Beckham till the early hours
• Royal baby plans 'on the back burner' - reports
• Prince William to join Duchess' family fun

Most Popular

1. Engineer calls for Williamson's resignation watch
2. Dog bites TV presenter live on air watch
3. Marines claim 'ignorance' after posing with Nazi symbol
4. Investigation after sweet treat turns sour watch
5. Endangered sea lion shot on Otago Peninsula

rssLatest News

• 21:30 New Zealand struggling in Davis Cup clash
• 21:17 Brazilian oil giant appoints female president
• 21:07 Lakers down Celtics in overtime
• 21:06 Engineer calls for Williamson's resignation watch
• 20:51 Man approaching children sparks police warning

Advertising